ED Jackson has warned that Treviso will be no pushovers when Newport Gwent Dragons attempt to start another home winning streak on Friday night.

The Dragons welcome the Italians to Rodney Parade in the Guinness PRO12 and will bid for a morale-boosting victory after their five-game successful run on home soil was ended by the Ospreys.

The title hopefuls from west Wales took the spoils 10-0 on New Year’s Day but Kingsley Jones’ men have the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways against a Treviso side who haven’t triumphed on the road in the league for over two years.

However, number eight Jackson says they will be giving their full respect to the Italians, who have left with consolation bonus points on two of their last three trips to Newport and won 27-11 when the sides met at the Stadio Monigo in September.

“We are under no illusions that Treviso will come hard at us like they always do. It’s another big game, a short turnaround and we have to put things right to get another win,” said the Englishman.

“Treviso are not like they were a couple of years ago. The Italians are very good teams with very good squads.

“They always target us, they are always tough fixtures and they raise their game to play us.”

“It was frustrating to lose like we did against the Ospreys and the territory battle told in the second half,” he continued.

“It was a disappointing result but wasn’t necessarily a bad performance. There were a couple of missed tackles for their try and apart from that there wasn’t much in it against one of the top teams in the league.”

Jackson has been a leading figure for the Dragons this season with his hard carrying and gave the region a boost when penning a two-year contract extension last month.

The 28-year-old former Wasps, London Welsh, Bath and Doncaster man turned down offers to return to England in favour of putting down roots.

“I am really happy to stay,” he said. “I’ve spent two years here and two years there for most of my career and it’s nice to settle.

“I am really enjoying the club and playing my rugby here. I am looking forward to the rest of the season and next couple of years when hopefully we will start pushing up the table.

“There is some good young talent here and I always like helping Harri (Keddie) out and giving him the time he needs because players like him are the future of the region.

“I am passing on all the knowledge I can and hopefully that can put him in good stead to take over at some point… hopefully not too soon!

“But it’s always nice to have players to interchange and it’s not just about having three back row forwards. We’ve got to work together and there needs to be a pool of us.”